Life In Lockdown
Daily life during the pandemic has many challenges; and yet, our sponsored students and their families have shown remarkable resiliency and determination.
Many of our children and teens are actively involved in family gardens, livestock rearing and various income generating activities (IGAs). We are especially impressed by some of our students who have learned new skills and are running their own small businesses or side projects during the lockdown!
Learning New Skills:
Ruth Nakandi (pictured left) is a 15-year-old playful 8th grade student who should be attending Royal College Namugongo, but is currently at home because the government locked down academic institutions. Ruth lost both of her parents to HIV/AIDS, as well as her grandmother who took care of her – so she now lives with her extended relatives.
Aside from reading her books daily during the lockdown, Ruth was manning her aunt’s grocery store until about 3 months ago when she learned how to make shaggy mats.
“I and my cousin may sell one or two of these in a month,” says Ruth when asked about her market. She goes on to say that she could make even more if she had enough raw material. To make the mats she uses a crocheting needle, non-slip mat and chunky threads.
“There was a weekly village market that I and my cousins would look forward to as a change of scenery, but they have all been shut down and we have to be home 24/7,” explains Ruth when asked about the hardships she is facing during the lockdown.
Her customers right now are friends and relatives who order after seeing how lovely they are when they come to visit. Depending on the availability of raw materials and supplies provided by her aunt, Ruth and her cousins may sell 1 to 3 shaggy mats a month each at $13-$17 depending on the customer’s bargaining power.
Do You Sponsor A Child?
See If You Can Spot Them In The Slideshow Below:
Henry Kaganga feeding his goat 
Martin Mulindwa with his baby brother and Mother, Sarah (a 100 Women Club beneficiary) 
Kisakye Kayesu (in the pink pants) with her large family 
Julius Ssebazza on the left washes dishes with his brother 
Immaculate Nassali weaves a traditional Ugandan straw mat 
The finished product 
Joel Atamba at home with his mom and younger siblings 
Johnson Ssewante focused on his studies during the lockdown 
Christine Namiwanda with her mother, Flavia (a 100 Women Club beneficiary) 
George William Kintu in his own passion fruit garden 
Ella Natasha peels matooke—a variety of bananas native to Uganda 
Divine Muwawu in his torn mosquito net, which we will be replacing! 
Bridget Namujjuzi feeding the family’s pigs 
Elizabeth Kisakye (checkered dress) and family talk with COU Social Worker, Winnie Nakalembe (in yellow) 
Isaac Mugabi mans his mother’s produce stand 
Lawrence Kasilivu finds time between chores to read his school books 
Christine Akweyo relaxing on her bed at home 
Edward Kyazze (in the orange shirt) and his family check-in with COU Social Worker, Winnie Nakalembe 
Faith Nayebare (in the black, red and yellow scarf) with family 
Blessing Mirembe (collared dress) with her family in her mother’s hair salon 
Felista Sululiko shows us her mother’s bountiful vegetable stall 
Florence Nannyonga on bed with her study timetable on the wall behind her 
Gideon Atwiine (in blue checked shirt) with family 
Calvin Rubangakene helps sell charcoal at his mother’s shop 
Gideon Wagaba (grey shirt) with his grandmother and family 
Anitah Nantandwe shows us the firewood her mother sells 
Judith Takali’s mother excitedly shares the appreciation letters her daughter Judith writes to her daily 
Jude Sserwanga and Tonny Kalungi writing letters to their sponsors 
Jane Nakanjako sells her pancakes to Social Worker, Winnie 
Leticia Nakintu (jean skirt) with family 
Elvan Musoke sitting at his front door 
Lorian Wambuzi (in grey) with his younger siblings 
Sharon Namuyimbwa washing clothes 
Maria Assumpta sits on her mother’s lap next to her older sister and COU’s Sponsorship Assistant, Rose Nalwoga 
Moses Miiro in his mother’s garden 
Mariam Ndagire (far left) with family 
Patience Gloria Mukhoda (in blue dress) with mother 
Vanessa Nansasi (middle) with two close friends
Supporting The Family Business:
This year should have been Immaculate’s first year of secondary school; but life looks very different now in lockdown. Gratefully, her mother started a tree planting business a few years ago – the profits of which are providing some basic needs. When Immaculate is not reading her books or doing schoolwork, she helps out in the tree nursery.
“I want to be a great doctor. I want to save lives,” Immaculate tells our staff. Despite the uncertainty and challenges of this unprecedented year, she is not giving up on her dreams.
This is all thanks to our loyal Children of Uganda sponsors and donors. Families like Immaculate’s are so grateful to everyone who has donated to help supply food, hygiene and personal care items, cleaning supplies, IGA training and much more.
Generally, students spend all but a few weeks a year away from home and many have reported that this added bonus time with their families has meant so much to them. They have played and learned and grown with their siblings and neighbors. The village has indeed become THEIR village. While being in school is certainly preferable, it’s comforting to know that our kids are making memories and feeling more connected to their families.
The future is a question mark, but we can be certain of one thing – young people today are going to be resilient adults. They are going to look for silver linings when it seems all hope is lost. They are going to pivot to find new paths when the road ahead is blocked. They are going to be great leaders. They are our hope.
